Caltech Theses  Tags: theses dissertations  

We set no limit to the size of any of the files you submit for your thesis. However, do consider splitting large files into smaller pieces to make it easier for readers to download. NOTE: If your submission is very large (i.e., >100 megabytes), please send a message to etd AT library.caltech.edu so that we may expect it.

Caltech gives you four options regarding affording electronic access to your thesis. The Caltech Electronic Submission Approval Form, that must be signed by you and your committee when you turn in the your final work, indicates your choice.

1. The first option, which we recommend (see above) is to make it freely available worldwide.
2. The second option, which we hope will be needed rarely, is to make the thesis freely available to the Caltech community but at the same time disallow access by others. So that these others will gain access as soon as appropriate, this restriction on access is only for a period of one year. To protect you, the Institute will allow the period to be extended, a year at a time, as long as necessary, and will not release your work until you and your advisor provide written authorization.
3. The third option is to restrict, or withhhold, access for a period of one year, even disallowing access by the Caltech community. This option addresses situations such as when a patent application is planned, or when proprietary interests are at stake.  To protect you, the Institute will allow the period to be extended, a year at a time, as long as necessary, and will not release your work until you and your advisor provide written authorization.
4. The fourth option is to release the entire work for Caltech access only, at the same time parts of the work will be released for worldwide access. Also some other parts of the work will be completely withheld from access.

You should consider these options carefully. Feel free to ask Caltech Intellectual Property or Legal Counsel for advice, and to discuss this with your advisor. If you intend to work with a publisher regarding journal or book publications, be sure you understand their policies and any agreements you would sign.

The library will not submit a copy of your thesis if the thesis as long as it is restricted or withheld from public view, even in part.

Once your Committee and the Graduate Office have approved your thesis, that version is a matter of official record and will be archived as such. For this reason, you and your Committee must check the thesis thoroughly before submitting it.

Any corrections to the thesis must be approved by your Committee and the Graduate Office. This especially applies to changes or additions of a greater magnitude than typographical errors.  

Once the corrections have been approved, you may contact the library (thesis AT library.caltech.edu) and ask to have the specific PDF pages replaced.  You may send them either a PDF copy of the corrected pages, or a PDF copy of the full thesis.  The library will make a permanent dark-archived copy of the original thesis, and then either replace the affected pages or upload the corrected full version.  Its file name will indicate that it is a "corrected" one.  The corrected copy of the thesis will then become the visible version.

Rather than replace the pages, you also have the option of having an Errata PDF document added to the files for your thesis.  This can be done after you have received the requisite permissions form the Committe and Graduate office.  You may contact the library for help in adding the Errata document.

Library/KaterKraft Bookbinders:

Students can drop off paper copies of their theses with the bindery specialist in Millikan Library, 2nd floor (x6432).  The Library will include them in the shipment of other bindery orders to KaterKraft on the third Tuesday of the month. The turnaround time is approximately one month.

• Library-quality binding.
• $12.25 /volume; extra fee for acid-free supplementary material pockets (maps, cds, etc.) Bindery works with whatever material student provides.
• Pay library directly.
• Bound volume shipped back to library; student arranges pick-up.

Caltech Graphic Resources:

• Three types of book binding offered: GBC(comb), velo, and fastbind.
• Call for current prices (x6701).
• Quick turn-around (2-3 days); pick-up on campus.

UMI:

• Will print out and bind copy of thesis after it is submitted to the company.
• Turnaround time unknown.
• Cost depends on bound size and format, $35-$53.
• Bound volume can be shipped to student' address.
• For more information, see page 7 of the UMI Dissertation Publishing Agreement.

Email thesis AT library.caltech.edu